State v. Rice

SNELL, Justice.

Appellant, Arthur Merlin Rice, appeals convictions of first-degree robbery and first-degree theft. We affirm.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

Shortly after the store opened on November 5, 1993, a man entered John R. Benson Jewelers and asked to see some ladies’ anniversary rings. Nancy Skulte, a saleswoman, showed him several ladies rings as well as some men’s rings, one with a one-carat diamond. Skulte became apprehensive about waiting on the man due to his suspicious demeanor, so she signaled to Pamela Buckles, a coworker, to assist. Buckles stood nearby and pretended to…